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Daily Daf Dose
The Gemora cites a braisa which proves from verses in the Megillah that Esther was written with Divine Spirit. Rabbi Eliezer said: Esther was composed through the Divine spirit, as it is written [Esther 6:6]: "And Haman said in his heart"; and if it was not composed with the Divine spirit, how could we know what he said in his heart? Rabbi Akiva said: Esther was composed through the Divine spirit, because it is written [ibid.2:15]: "And Esther found favor in the eyes of all those that saw her" and if it was not composed with the Divine spirit, how could we know that she found favor in everyone’s eyes. Rabbi Meir said: Esther was composed through the Divine spirit, as it is written [ibid. 2:22]: "And the incident became known to Mordecai" and if it was not composed with the Divine spirit, how could Mordechai have known about the secret plot to kill Achashverosh. Rabbi Yosi ben Durmaskis said: Esther was composed through the Divine spirit, because it is written [ibid. 9:10]: ''They did not stretch forth their hands on the booty" and if it was not composed with the Divine spirit, how could it be known what was done in all one hundred and twenty-seven provinces. Shmuel said: If I had been there, I would have cited a superior proof: It is written [ibid. 9:27]: "The Jews confirmed it as a duty, and took it upon themselves." This means that they confirmed in Heaven what they accepted upon themselves below. If it was not composed with the Divine spirit, how could the happenings of the Heavenly court be known to us.
Rava said: To all the above sayings I have objections, except to Samuel, to whom it cannot be objected. Regarding that which Rabbi Eliezer said; that was common sense. Haman knew there was not a man in the king's court that was so respected as he himself, and it is self-evident that he believed that he was the intended beneficiary of the king’s honor. Regarding that which Rabbi Akiva said; perhaps it was as Rabbi Elozar explains below, that every nation thought Esther was of its race and thereby liked by everyone that saw her. Regarding that which Rabbi Akiva said; perhaps it was as Rabbi Chiya bar Abba will explain below, that Mordecai understood the language of Tarsi because he was a member of the Sanhedrin and understood seventy different languages. Regarding that which Rabbi Yosi ben Durmaskis said; perhaps messengers were sent to Mordechai and Esther that the booty wasn’t taken. Regarding that which Shmuel said; there is no objection. Ravina said: This is as people say, it is better to have one sharp pepper than a full basket of melons.
It is brought in the name of Rabbi Moshe Leib Shachor: One cannot eat sharp peppers by themselves. However, when they are placed in a cooked dish, the peppers can provide the taste for the entire dish. So too, in this Gemora, all the proofs offered that the Megillah was written under the influence of the Divine spirit were refuted. Shmuel’s proof was the only one that did not have any imperfection in it and indicated without a doubt that Esther was written through the Divine spirit.
It emerges that Shmuel’s statement is compared to the sharp pepper. It is his proof which confirms that the entire Megillah was written under the influence of the Divine spirit.
Rava said: To all the above sayings I have objections, except to Samuel, to whom it cannot be objected. Regarding that which Rabbi Eliezer said; that was common sense. Haman knew there was not a man in the king's court that was so respected as he himself, and it is self-evident that he believed that he was the intended beneficiary of the king’s honor. Regarding that which Rabbi Akiva said; perhaps it was as Rabbi Elozar explains below, that every nation thought Esther was of its race and thereby liked by everyone that saw her. Regarding that which Rabbi Akiva said; perhaps it was as Rabbi Chiya bar Abba will explain below, that Mordecai understood the language of Tarsi because he was a member of the Sanhedrin and understood seventy different languages. Regarding that which Rabbi Yosi ben Durmaskis said; perhaps messengers were sent to Mordechai and Esther that the booty wasn’t taken. Regarding that which Shmuel said; there is no objection. Ravina said: This is as people say, it is better to have one sharp pepper than a full basket of melons.
It is brought in the name of Rabbi Moshe Leib Shachor: One cannot eat sharp peppers by themselves. However, when they are placed in a cooked dish, the peppers can provide the taste for the entire dish. So too, in this Gemora, all the proofs offered that the Megillah was written under the influence of the Divine spirit were refuted. Shmuel’s proof was the only one that did not have any imperfection in it and indicated without a doubt that Esther was written through the Divine spirit.
It emerges that Shmuel’s statement is compared to the sharp pepper. It is his proof which confirms that the entire Megillah was written under the influence of the Divine spirit.
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